Lipoplasty, also named liposuction or liposculpture, is a surgical procedure
designed to remove deposits of excess fat to create a desired body contour. This
procedure permanently removes fat cells from areas including the neck, face,
arms, chest, back, hips, thighs, buttocks, knees, calves, and ankles. Although
liposuction is not a weight loss technique, it can effectively eliminate excess
fat deposits in particular areas of the body, restoring a more proportionate
and healthy body contour.

Women
and men who are of relatively normal weight but have isolated
pockets of fat, which cause certain areas of their body to appear
disproportionate, take advantage of this procedure. These localized
fat deposits may sometimes be genetically inherited and are not
responsive to dieting or exercise. Liposuction is often the only
means of eliminating these types of fat deposits.

In
general, liposuction procedures use small incisions in selected
areas with a high vacuum to remove fat cells. After the fat is
removed, sutures (stitches) will be applied to the areas treated.
Thereafter a bandage or garment will be applied to wrap the skin
and minimize the swelling.

The "tumescent
technique" involves injecting a solution with a local anesthetic
into the areas to be treated prior to suctioning. An incision
is made near the area from which the fat is to be removed; and
a specially designed surgical tube, called a cannula, is placed
through the incision into the fat. The cannula is attached by
flexible tubing to a vacuum pump that removes the fat by suction
as the cannula is manipulated beneath the skin. Compared to other
conventional liposuction techniques, the tumescent technique
is more precise and accurate. This procedure minimizes blood
loss, removes more fat and has a faster recovery time.

Ultrasonic
Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) is a new method of liposuction that
uses ultrasound energy to liquefy fat before it is suctioned.
Because the fat is liquid at the time that it is removed, UAL
is smoother and mechanically more efficient. In the United States,
ultrasound has been used for surgical removal of tissues, other
than fat, for more than twenty years. UAL has been used in Europe
for more than ten years. UAL also minimizes trauma, resulting
in less bruising and blood loss. UAL is particularly useful on
fibrous areas of the body, such as the male breast, the upper
abdomen and the upper back, which are difficult to treat with
traditional techniques.

Liposuction
generally takes between one to four hours depending on the particular
areas treated.

What
type of anesthesia is used?

Liposuction
is usually performed using local anesthesia along with a light
sedative to make you feel drowsy and relaxed. When treating larger
areas, general anesthesia is typically used causing you to be
asleep during the whole procedure.

Liposuction
is usually performed on an outpatient basis, in the surgeon's
office-based surgical suite, an outpatient surgery center or
hospital.

When
can I return home and resume normal activities?

If
you are having a small liposuction procedure, you may return
home the same day, however you have to make arrangements for
someone to drive you home and assist you with your daily activities
for the first 24 hours. For larger liposuction procedures you
may have to stay overnight for observation. Depending on the
extent of the areas treated, most people return to work and normal
activities within a week.

During
your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss the changes
that you would like to make to your appearance. Since the appearance
of your body is a matter of personal perception and preference,
you will need to discuss your concerns in detail so your surgeon
can determine the appropriate alternatives. You also should make
arrangements ahead of time for someone to drive you to and from
your procedure and to assist you with your daily activities during
your recovery period.

Prior
to your surgical procedure, the surgeon will perform a complete
health history and physical examination to evaluate your overall
weight, your skin and muscle tone and the overall distribution
of fat deposits. In particular your surgeon will ask you about
any problems you have had with high blood pressure, blood clotting
or a tendency to develop large scars.

Knowledge
of your allergies, medications and previous surgeries should
be brought to your surgeon's attention at this time. Specific
instructions to assist you in preparing for this procedure will
be given to you after the health history and physical is complete.
Depending on your individual health status, the instructions
may include guidelines regarding your diet, alcohol intake, smoking
and which medications to take or avoid. Your experience will
be much smoother if you remain compliant with your surgeon's
instructions.

Immediately
after surgery, you will need to continuously wear a support garment
for one to three weeks. Please be sure to follow your surgeon's
instructions regarding deep breathing exercises, diet, bandage
care, bathing, showering, driving and exercising.

Serious
complications are uncommon with this kind of procedure. Generally,
bruising lasts two to three weeks, but sometimes longer. A certain
amount of numbness or reduced sensation in the treated area is
to be expected. Some people may experience shaping irregularities
in the treated areas following the procedure. Usually this is
temporary, but may be permanent. As with any surgical procedure,
bleeding, infection and other complications are possible. It
is always important to be informed about the possible complications
before any surgery. Be sure to discuss any concerns you may have
with your surgeon.

You
will experience some discomfort for an hour after the procedure,
which may be relieved by medication. Your stitches are painlessly
removed five to seven days after surgery. It may take two to
four months for the swelling to completely disappear. In most
individuals, liposuction scars are about one to two millimeters
in length and barely visible. Your scars will be red or pink
for six months and will gradually fade. However, all scars are
permanent and their height, width, and final color are never
completely predictable. Five percent of men and women have an
additional liposuction procedure or a "touch-up" after
six months. It is important to understand that it will take some
time before you will see the dramatic final result of your new
sculptured contour.